#Merky Books New Writers’ Prize is an annual writing competition that is open to young, underrepresented and unpublished writers from across the UK and ROI.
#Merky Books is an award-winning imprint launched in 2018 by Stormzy and Penguin Random House UK with a clear ambition to publish books that will own – and change – the mainstream.
Our aim is to publish the stories that will allow a new generation of writers and readers across the UK to see themselves represented regularly within the pages of a book.
This year, we’re excited to launch the sixth #Merky Books New Writers’ Prize.
What's on offer?
The winner of the New Writers’ Prize will receive a publishing contract with #Merky Books. All shortlisted writers will also be invited to our Writers’ Camp, where they will get the chance to participate in writing workshops, panel talks, editorial one-to-ones and meet the #Merky Books team.
Who are we looking for?
The prize is open to Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic writers who are aged between 18 and 35 and residing in the UK or Republic of Ireland. Applicants will need to be unpublished and un-agented in order to apply.
This year, we are focusing on fiction only and unfortunately are not accepting non-fiction, poetry or children’s books.
Find out more here
Deadline: midnight on Tuesday 26th August 2025